November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer is the largest cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States. According to the National Lung Cancer Partnership, this disease will kill more people each year, than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. There is no better time than November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month to become better informed about this disease.

Though many associate smoking as the only cause for lung cancer, there are many other factors that can play a role, such as exposure to second hand smoke, family history of lung cancer, asbestos and other substances that diminish air qualitiy. Approximately 10% to 15% of lung cancer patients have never smoked, which equates to 20,000 to 30,000 of the 160,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, according to the National Lung Cancer Partnership. Research has shown that women will comprise a larger percentage of new lung cancer cases each year of individuals who have never smoked. According to The Savvy Woman Patient, about 25% of all cancer deaths in women can be attributed to lung cancer, with more women in the U.S. dying of lung cancer each year than in any other country of the world. The Savvy Woman Patient: How and Why Sex Differences Affect Your Health, is a book created by the Society for Women's Health Research that explains the wide scope of sex-based health differences between women and men.

Though these statistics can seem frightening, the earlier lung cancer is diagnosed the better chance there is of achieving a remission from the disease. Especially since women seem to develop lung cancer at a younger age than men, it is important to know the symptoms of lung cancer, in order to achieve an early and possibly life saving diagnosis. The Savvy Woman Patient, lists shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, weakness, hoarseness, headache and frequent, long-lasting colds, coughs or pneumonia as some of the most common symptoms. If any of these symptoms are felt for an extended period of time, if there is a history of smoking or if there is a family history of lung cancer it is always best to visit a health professional to get checked.

Methods used to check for lung cancer include, sprial CT scans, chest x-rays, and bronchoscopies, where a small microscope with a camera is inserted down the throat and into the lungs (The Savvy Woman Patient).

Perhaps even more important than learning how to diagnose lung cancer is taking steps to prevent lung cancer. The best way to guard against lung cancer is to never start smoking and to shield the lungs as much as possible from second hand smoke. Additionally, The Savvy Women Patient states that, eating a diet high in vegetables and fruit, at least seven servings of varied vegetables and fruits every day, is helpful in preventing lung cancer. Lastly, it is important to tell doctors of any risk of lung cancer that there may be, this way the doctor can perform screenings, which will increase the odds of early detection.

In order to support Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the best thing to do is raise awareness and increase funding for lung cancer research. It is especially important to fund programs that will look into sex differences in lung cancer to better understand how this disease affects men and women differently.

Society for Women's Health Research Accepting Nominations for Prize for Contributions to Women's Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Society for Women's Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women's Health. The annual $75,000 prize recognizes a women scientist or engineer for her contributions to women's health. It also encourages women scientists and engineers to work on issues uniquely related to women's health and rewards women who have devoted a significant part of their careers to this area.
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World Osteoporosis Day

With October 20th being World Osteoporosis Day, the most important thing you can do for individuals who are impacted by this disease is to help spread knowledge and get Osteoporosis recognized by health and government officials. Getting these institutions to promote early detection programs and funding for therapy could make a great difference in the lives of those who have and will acquire Osteoporosis in their lifetime.

Osteoporosis literally means porous bones and is most often caused by low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in an individual's bones. After menopause women can face a sharp decrease in estrogen levels that in turn increases the number of cells that break down bone tissue, according to Know My Bones. The extent of bone loss can be seen in that, "women can lose as much as 20% of their bone mass in the first 5 to 7 years after menopause," according to Know My Bones.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis can include, back pain, loss of height over time and fracture of wrists, hips or other bones. "According to the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, about half of women age 50 and over will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime," Know My Bones states.

Getting a bone density test allows individuals to check for early signs of Osteoporosis. If caught early enough prescription medicines can be used to help slow down the rate of bone loss.

But even better than early detection of Osteoporosis, is prevention. Calcium and vitamin D are just two nutrients that if taken regularly can greatly reduce the risk of Osteoporosis. If you think you may be at risk for Osteoporosis meet with your doctor to see what measures can be taken to reduce your risk for obtaining the disease.

To learn more about Osteoporosis visit Know My Bones.

Becoming more aware: How domestic violence can change lives forever

Did you know that October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month? During the month of October, one important goal is to end violence within our homes, communities, and our country.

When a woman is constantly getting abused, or a child witnesses abuse in the home, the home then becomes an unhealthy place to live. It's an unhealthy and scary situation. Domestic violence can be largely defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners within an intimate relationship such as friendships, dating, families and marriage.

According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, women are more prone to be vicitms of sexual violence than men. Of the victims of rape and sexual assault, 78% are women and 22% are men.

Domestic violence has many forms including physical aggression, which include hitting, biting, and throwing objects. It also includes threats of sexual and emotional abuse, controlling or domineering, intimidation, stalking and economic removal.

Domestic violence has many long-term physical, psychological and emotional effects. Once a person is abused, the pain and sorrow never go away [http://www.aardvarc.org]. Physical injuries include bruises, broken bones, head injuries, internal bleeding, vaginal and urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and pregnancy related problems. Females accounted for 39% of the hospital emergency department visits for violence-related injuries in 1994, 84% of the persons trested for injuries were inflicted by intimates. Psychological effects of domestic violence include depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which includes symptoms of flashbacks, intrusive imagery, nightmares, anxiety, emotional numbing, insomnia, etc. Economic effects include victims often losing thier job and having to move many times to avoid continued violence.

Each year approximately 3.3 million children are exposed to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members, as stated by the American Psychological Association [http:/www.acadv.org]. Studies have shown that children who are exposed to violence at home change their behavior and increase aggression [http://www.safeyouth.org]. They tend to have social and conflict resolution skills that are poorly developed and they may suffer developmentally. This leads youth to engage in future violence and to being abused themselves.

Researchers have found that people who assault their partners are more likely to mistreat/abuse their children as well. According to An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection, "One third of the children who witness the battering of their mother demonstrate siginificant behavioral and/or emtoional problems including psychosomatic disorders, stuttering, anxiety and fears, sleep disruption, excessive crying and school problems."

There are many organizations and foundations working to end domestic violence, especially during the month of October. Women Empowered Against Violence (WEAVE) joins hundreds of organizations throughout the United States to ask the community to fight for the millions of people who are affected by domestiv violence every year. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to show support for all the victims and to help WEAVE share information about available resources to end the cycle of violence. Concerts, rallies, and conferences--all are taking place during the month of October.

Many people have lost their lives to domestic violence. According to the Violence Policy Center, "In 2000, there were 1,805 females murdered by males in single victim/single offense incidents that were submitted to the FBI for its Supplementary Homicide Report."

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence initiated the Remember My Name Project which began in 1994. This project is a naitonal registry of names of people who lost their lives to domestic violence. They ask that for the month of October, people take a moment to remember those that we lost because of domestic violence.

The symbol of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a purple ribbon. Show your suppot by wearing one every day in October!

It is Time to Help Make a Difference

From September through mid-December the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will be in full swing. The ultimate goal of the CFC campaign is to raise money for chairities and non-profits through donations.

If improving women's health through education, research and advocacy is importnat to you, than look no further than the Society for Women's Health Research when you are deciding who to make your CFC check out to!

This fall choose the Society for Women's Health Research with CFC #10484.